Chang’e 4 has landed on the dark side of the Moon

China’s Chang’e 4 Moon probe successfully touched down on Thursday on the far side of the Moon, popularly but inaccurately called the “dark side of the Moon.”

The mission is named after the goddess Cháng’é 嫦娥, who, according to legend, lives on the Moon with her pet bunny, Yùtù 玉兔, or “Jade Rabbit.” The probe carried a lunar rover named Jade Rabbit, which began operating today.

Naturally, some observers’ first thoughts turn to rivalry with the U.S.: “Today the fight [between China and the U.S.] is on trade. Tomorrow it can be on the Moon,” said one Chinese analyst to the South China Morning Post.

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Photo of the Day

A worker waters the flowers and plants in front of the local government building in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on the October 1 National Day. In the background, the Chinese propaganda characters can be translated as “[Xi Jinping] Thought on Socialism With Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” and “Striving for the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Dream.”